Cornell student charged with threatening to harm Jewish classmates to remain in custody
Cornell student accused of making online threats to kill Jewish students remains in custody after appearing in federal court Discover more about the suspect and the university's response to the alarming situation
Cornell University's student, Patrick Dai, a 21-year-old junior, appeared in federal court on Wednesday. He was accused of posting online threats targeting the university's Jewish community. The US Attorney's Office for New York's Northern District announced that Dai has been charged federally with "posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications." He was ordered to remain in custody for the time being, as this charge could result in a prison sentence of up to five years.
Dai, dressed in an orange jail uniform, stood before the Syracuse courtroom with his wrists shackled. Without entering a plea, he respectfully nodded and replied, "Yes, your honor," multiple times as the judge posed questions. Throughout the approximately 10-minute hearing, Dai maintained a stoic expression, while his mother sat in the second row.
The prosecution sought to detain Dai due to concerns regarding potential danger and the risk of him fleeing. Dai's defense attorney, Gabrielle DiBella, opted not to request a timely detention hearing for her client. As a result, Dai was returned to the custody of US marshals. DiBella did not provide any comments following the hearing. Dai's next court appearance is slated for November 15.
Prosecutors claim that Dai posted threatening messages in an online forum, where he expressed his intention to harm and even kill Jewish students at Cornell University, specifically targeting the predominantly kosher dining hall known as 104 West. One of his posts explicitly mentioned his plan to bring an assault rifle onto campus and attack Jewish individuals, as reported by the US Attorneys Office.
Cornell University student Patrick Dai is accused of making online threats against the school's Jewish community.
According to a criminal complaint affidavit, the individuals responsible for the posts used usernames that referenced Hamas, and expressed anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian sentiments.
Dai was unavailable for comment, and CNN has not identified his attorney.
As the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group continues in the Middle East, there has been a reported surge in antisemitic incidents. According to the Anti-Defamation League, incidents in the US have increased by nearly 400% after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. FBI Director Christopher Wray informed a Senate panel on Tuesday that antisemitism in the United States is at "historic levels." Jewish communities in Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Rhode Island have reportedly been rattled by recent incidents of pro-Palestinian vandalism.
What we know about the suspect
The Biden administration recently unveiled new measures in its efforts to address the increasing incidents of antisemitism on college campuses in the United States. President Biden expressed deep concern about the escalation of antisemitic acts during a press conference. Moreover, the editor of Yale's student-run newspaper has issued an apology this week for removing any references to allegations of rape and beheadings committed by Hamas in two editorials discussing the attack on Israel.
The affidavit states that Dai is accused of posting a threat from the Ithaca, New York area, where Cornell University is located. In an interview with the FBI, Dai admitted to posting the threatening messages. According to the affidavit, the FBI made an urgent request to the website where the threats were allegedly posted, seeking to obtain subscriber information linked to the individual responsible.
The image placeholder,
, depicts the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York, US, taken on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. As college costs in the US continue to rise, Ivy League schools are also experiencing an increase in annual tuition fees for the upcoming academic year. This constant hike in expenses is further contributing to the already steep financial burden on students. The photograph was captured by Bing Guan and is sourced from Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Bing Guan/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Cornell student arrested in connection with antisemitic threats made against Cornell Universitys Jewish community
The website informed the FBI that two posts were linked to separate IP addresses in New York. CNN verified that the initial IP address was traced back to the Pittsford area of New York. The FBI stated in their affidavit that it was connected to an individual and a residence affiliated with Dai. According to a spokesperson from Pittsford Mendon High School, Dai hails from Pittsford and was a student there.
The second IP address was not revealed by the FBI; however, according to the affidavit, it was traced back to Ithaca.
According to the complaint, Dai confessed to posting the threatening messages during an interview with the FBI at the Cornell Police Department on Tuesday, after being given Miranda warnings.
In an interview with the New York Post, Dai's parents revealed that he has been suffering from severe depression since 2021 and emphasized that he has never shown any propensity for violence.
The father, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared with the Post via text messages that Dai ceased all communication with them in the days leading up to his arrest, coinciding with the occurrence of antisemitic threats on an online message board.
He said his wife drove to Ithaca to see their son, but he had already been arrested.
How Cornell responded to the threats
A New York State Police Department cruiser is parked in front of Cornell University's Center for Jewish Living On Monday.
Following the posting of threats on Sunday, Cornell University police have heightened patrols and stepped up security measures for Jewish students and organizations, as stated by the agency. Governor Kathy Hochul also announced that the New York State Police has boosted its security presence on campus.
According to Cornell Hillel, approximately 22% of the student body at Cornell consists of Jewish students, with around 3,000 undergraduates and 500 graduates. This information comes amidst the recent spread of alarming online posts, leading to a cautionary message from Cornell Hillel advising individuals to avoid 104 West. This incident has only amplified the existing unease within Cornell's Jewish community, following the vandalization of campus sidewalks with anti-Israel graffiti last week, as reported by The Cornell Review.
On Monday, October 23, 2023, President Joe Biden addressed the economy at an event held in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex. The photograph captured by Jacquelyn Martin for the Associated Press showcases President Biden speaking during the occasion.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Biden concerned over rising antisemitism as administration takes action
According to Molly Goldstein, co-president of the Cornell Center for Jewish Living, Jewish students currently on campus are extremely fearful for their lives. She expressed her disbelief that such a situation could arise at her university.
In response to the concern for safety, Cornell has stated that certain classes may offer remote learning alternatives.
According to Joel M. Malina, the vice president for university relations, the university will maintain enhanced security measures on campus. Malina expressed gratitude to the FBI for their swift action in identifying and apprehending the suspect, a Cornell student who is currently in custody. In a statement, Malina strongly condemned the disturbing and antisemitic threats and emphasized the importance of prosecuting the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law.
Cornell University President Martha E. Pollack firmly declared that the university has zero tolerance for antisemitism.
"I have consistently denounced bigotry and hatred, whether it occurs within or outside our campus," emphasized Pollack. She expressed deep concern over the harmful impact of antisemitism on Jewish students, faculty, staff, and the entire Cornell community. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to confront and counteract the divisive and hateful influences that threaten us. The identity of Cornell University must never be defined by such negativity.
New York officials are taking reported acts of hate against Jewish, Palestinian and Muslim residents very seriously, Hochul told CNN on Tuesday.
On October 22, 2023, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, citizens of Edmonton gathered outside Town Hall for a 1-hour silent candlelight vigil in -1°C temperatures. Their purpose was to advocate for peace and the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East.
Vigil participants abstained from exhibiting signs and posters, highlighting the necessity of a ceasefire and the aspiration for universal peace. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"The current Israel-Hamas conflict has greatly affected both American Arabs and Jews. Regardless of whether they are Jewish students or Palestinians who follow the Muslim faith, people are enduring immense distress at this moment. The severe emotional impact of these hate crimes is ruthless and must be put to an end," stated the governor in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
"People experience a tremendous sense of vulnerability while attending their synagogues, mosques, or classes," she expressed. "This does not align with the identity of New Yorkers."
During a news conference on Wednesday, Hochul expressed her determination to hold Dai accountable and is considering pursuing charges at both the state and federal levels, intending to set an influential precedent."
"We will fully pursue these cases in order to ensure that individuals understand that they cannot escape the consequences of their actions here in the state of New York," she stated.
This report includes contributions from CNN's Jessica Xing, Elizabeth Wolfe, Paul P. Murphy, Maria Campinoti, Dakin Andone, Chris Boyette, Andy Rose, Caroll Alvarado, Artemis Moshtaghian, and Michelle Watson.
